Construction Management and Architecture Department • Salinas, CA • Campus • $46/Credit (In-State, incl. fees)
Hartnell College offers 1 construction management pathway:
Program Pathways Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.S. (CM Emphasis) | $2.8K in-state / $24.8K out-of-state | 2 years (4 semesters) | 60 (38 in the major) |
Tuition estimates use the $46 per unit California community college enrollment fee plus Hartnell College’s $2 student representation fee; out-of-state adds $367 per unit in nonresident tuition for 2026-27.
- Why choose it: Hartnell College pairs 8 units of hands-on field practice, from layout and framing through interior finish, with required estimating, scheduling, project accounting, and construction law, taught by licensed professionals per the college.
- Trade-off: There is no stand-alone construction management certificate, and no internship is listed.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Credentials Offered | A.S. in Construction Management and Architecture with a Construction Management emphasis |
| Format | Campus |
| Campus Location | Alisal Campus, Salinas, CA |
| Credit Hours | 60 (38 in the major) |
| Internship | Not required |
| Programmatic Accreditation | None stated |
| Software Taught | Computer-aided drafting and design (CMA81); BIM and digital tools elective (CMA90) |
| Field Practice | Two required construction field practice courses (8 units) |
| Sister Emphasis | Architecture emphasis shares the same 20-unit core |
| Tuition | $46 per unit in-state; $413 per unit out-of-state (2026-27) |
A.S. in Construction Management and Architecture (Construction Management Emphasis)
The estimated tuition for the A.S. in Construction Management and Architecture with a Construction Management emphasis at Hartnell College is approximately $2,768 in-state (60 credits at $46.13/credit, derived from $46 per unit plus the $2 representation fee for 4 semesters).
The program can generally be completed in about 2 years (4 semesters).
The A.S. in Construction Management and Architecture introduces the construction management profession, with licensed professionals teaching sustainability, construction field skills, and construction management principles under field and studio conditions, per Hartnell College. Students choose a Construction Management or Architecture emphasis. The 38-unit major is combined with 21 units of general education to reach 60 units. The out-of-state estimate is about $24,788.
A.S. Curriculum
The major has a 20-unit shared core, a 15-unit Construction Management emphasis, and a 3-unit elective.
- Shared core (6 courses, 20 units): CMA51 Introduction to Construction Management and Architecture, CMA55 Introduction to Structural Design and Codes, CMA57 Construction Law and Contracts, CMA61 Construction Field Practice: Layout, Foundations and Framing (4 units), CMA62 Construction Field Practice: Exterior and Interior Finish (4 units), and CMA81 Computer Aided Drafting and Design I.
- Construction Management emphasis (5 courses, 15 units): CMA52 Construction Graphics, CMA53 Sustainable Construction Materials and Methods, CMA54 Introduction to Construction Estimating, CMA56 Basic Principles of Construction Project Accounting, and CMA91 Construction Management and Scheduling.
- Elective (1 course, 3 units): chosen from CMA63 Concrete and Masonry Technology, CMA65 Plumbing and HVAC, CMA84 Sustainable Construction Detailing, CMA90 BIM and Digital Technology Tools for Construction, EGN11 Surveying, and two other CMA courses.
Hartnell College’s major covers both sides of a small project: field work through two hands-on field practice courses, and the office side through estimating, scheduling, project accounting, and contract law. The required project accounting course suits students heading toward running small residential or commercial jobs.
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- The catalog does not list per-course units for the emphasis courses; Hartnell College’s requirement sheet gives 15 units for the emphasis as a whole.
- The catalog page shows no catalog year.
- Two of the listed electives, CMA64 and CMA66, appear without titles in the catalog.
A.S. Internship and Field Experience
- Required: No internship or co-op is listed.
- Field practice: CMA61 and CMA62 teach layout, foundations, framing, and exterior and interior finish under practical field conditions, per Hartnell College.
- Hours, pay, and employer partners: Not clearly stated.
The field practice courses give students without jobsite experience a hands-on foundation before they move into management roles.
A.S. Admissions
Hartnell College is open-enrollment, and the program lists no separate admission requirements.
- General education: Hartnell College’s local GE pattern; required major courses can double-count.
- Transfer planning: Hartnell College advises students planning to transfer to meet with a counselor before starting the program.
Tuition
California residents pay the $46 per unit enrollment fee plus a $2 student representation fee each term. Nonresidents add $367 per unit in tuition for 2026-27, per the state’s nonresident tuition report.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enrollment fee (all students) | $46 per unit |
| Nonresident tuition (2026-27) | +$367 per unit |
| Student representation fee | $2 per term |
- A.S. estimate: 60 × $46 = $2,760, plus 4 × $2 = $8, for $2,768 in-state; 60 × $413 + $8 = $24,788 out-of-state (derived).
Be aware that:
- Hartnell College’s fee page lists $366 per unit nonresident tuition for 2025-26; the state’s 2026-27 report lists $367.
- Hartnell College’s fee pages list no health or student center fee, so other campus fees may apply.
- Parking ($40 per term), books, and materials are not included.
At under $2,800 in-state, the A.S. costs a fraction of a year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, one of the CSU bachelor’s programs profiled here. See Hartnell College’s fees.
Why Choose This Construction Management Program?
Hartnell College gives Salinas Valley students a hands-on, small-project route into construction management.
Students new to construction: Two field practice courses teach framing and finish work before students manage others doing it.
Future small-business builders: Estimating, scheduling, project accounting, and construction law together cover the basics of running residential and light commercial jobs.
Monterey Bay comparison: Students weighing nearby options can compare Cabrillo College in Aptos.
Accreditation and Credentials
Hartnell College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, which supports federal financial aid eligibility and credit transfer.
No programmatic accreditation is listed for Hartnell College’s construction management program.
The program embeds no industry certification.